Mike
03-07-2003, 02:51 PM
Is everyone using an amplifier for their speakers? Is it necessary to power the speakers with an amp for a home thearter? Or will the receiver provide enough power?
 |
|
|||||||||||||
View Full Version : Amps
57U
03-07-2003, 03:04 PM
There are lots of receivers that are adequate for most home theatre applications. It depends on the efficiency of your speakers, the size of your room and how loud you wish to go.
Most people never come close to driving their receivers to the limit since 85-90dB is very loud and most receivers hooked up to most speakers would have no trouble with that sound level since that sound level would only require typically about 1 watt.
Remember that each additional 3 db requires you to double the receiver power, so the efficiency of the speakers and how loud you want to listen is typically much more important than receiver power.
Lastly a receiver is an amplifier, the amplifier just happens to be combined with a preamplifier and also typically a tuner.
As someone who always had "separates" for more than 30 years, I'm very happy with my Yamaha RX-V1 (now replaced by the RX-Z1) receiver. See the second link in my signature (HT2) for more details.
Had I wanted this kind of power, these features and similar THD, etc I would have been looking at around $10k for separates. My decision was easy because the RX-V1 cost less than $2k.
Although this is obviously a flagship receiver, there are plenty of good ones starting from perhaps $300. Check out the FAQ section on the home page - see the post "if only I'd have known" for receiver features to watch for.
Most people never come close to driving their receivers to the limit since 85-90dB is very loud and most receivers hooked up to most speakers would have no trouble with that sound level since that sound level would only require typically about 1 watt.
Remember that each additional 3 db requires you to double the receiver power, so the efficiency of the speakers and how loud you want to listen is typically much more important than receiver power.
Lastly a receiver is an amplifier, the amplifier just happens to be combined with a preamplifier and also typically a tuner.
As someone who always had "separates" for more than 30 years, I'm very happy with my Yamaha RX-V1 (now replaced by the RX-Z1) receiver. See the second link in my signature (HT2) for more details.
Had I wanted this kind of power, these features and similar THD, etc I would have been looking at around $10k for separates. My decision was easy because the RX-V1 cost less than $2k.
Although this is obviously a flagship receiver, there are plenty of good ones starting from perhaps $300. Check out the FAQ section on the home page - see the post "if only I'd have known" for receiver features to watch for.
Mike
03-07-2003, 03:12 PM
Good info!! Thanks.
artist
03-07-2003, 03:29 PM
I use an older Sony surround sound receiver with 5 sets of Bose dual cube speakers left over from the Bose Lifestyle 12 system from about 10 years ago. The Sony is an integrated receiver that has a pre-amp\processor built in with the amp. The Bose speakers are very efficient so I don't need a lot of power. What you should do is figure out a budget and start from there. I am certainly no expert and this and other forums have been extremely informative on all aspects of my setup. You will need a "surround sound" "(DTS, Dolby Digital, Pro-Logic, etc.,etc.) receiver or pre-amp\amp to power your speakers. Mine does 5.1 which I believe means 2 speakers in front, 1 speaker in the center, 2 speakers in the rear, normally called surround, and
a powered subwoofer for low frequency bass. 5 speakers and 1 subwoofer. With my modest setup HD programming is awesome.
I have found that you can spend over 100,000 thousand for a high-end home theater sound system or you can spend around 3-4 hundred for a good setup and if your used to listening to the speakers in the TV it will sound incredible.
a powered subwoofer for low frequency bass. 5 speakers and 1 subwoofer. With my modest setup HD programming is awesome.
I have found that you can spend over 100,000 thousand for a high-end home theater sound system or you can spend around 3-4 hundred for a good setup and if your used to listening to the speakers in the TV it will sound incredible.
